We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to 8pm while cooking supper when my neighbor happily came in to inform me that she had received her transfers. On checking my phone too, I had received KES55000 from GiveDirectly and immediately we started celebrating for joy because our dreams had come true. Due to too much joy I couldn't sleep and I opted for a night vigil in the nearest Seventh day church.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is owning a dairy cow which I had desired to have for the past seven years but couldn't afford. I am also grateful because with the modern furniture I bought using GiveDirectly transfers my house looks beautiful and more comfortable. Nowadays with the GiveDirectly transfers, I have adequate food for my family and we now can afford to eat three meals a day and now my kids have grown healthier and happier.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES28000 on a dairy cow as a source of milk and income for my family because I had been buying milk daily for the past 7years.
I also spent KES9000 on modern furniture because I only had two arm chairs initially. spent KES 3300 on a water storage container, KES 3300 on a sack of maize because I used to rely on casual labor in order to feed my family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a stable source of income to me. I have never owned a cow and I have been buying milk for more than 10 years now. I buy 1 litre of milk at KES 60 per day which is quite expensive. I am employed under casual terms earning KES 200 which I spend all of it to buy food for my family of 9. My husband is sickly and cannot work hence I am the sole breadwinner. I plan on buying a cow with KES 35,000 that can give me five litres of milk per day and 3 goats at KES 7500. This is will be a reliable source of income. The rest I will use to buy other basic needs such as clothes and food,and build a good shelter for my two sons.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The whole of 2020 and 2021 has been a tough year because of the covid-19 pandemic. For the last 6 months none of my family members got sick and I am grateful to God for that. Living healthy means reduced expenditure on medical costs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main challenge that I am facing currently is financial constraints. I am the sole provider of my family because my husband is epileptic, requires constant medical care, and cannot do hard jobs. Proving for my family with the little that I earn from doing casual jobs is a challenge to me. All my 9 children are in school with the elder one in final year of primary School and earning KES 200 per day is not enough to cater for all the needs of my family.
